Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Primary Job Function

The primary purpose of a Certified Nursing Assistant is providing for the daily care, health needs, safety and comfort of the residents under the supervision and direction of a Staff Nurse.

Primary Responsibilities for a Certified Nursing Assistant

• Receiving and following written/verbal care assignments and providing for the daily care of residents. This includes:
  • Assisting residents with their bathing, toileting, oral hygiene, skin care, grooming, nail care and dressing needs;
  • Feeding residents, providing bedside water, providing snacks, and transferring residents to and from dining areas as needed and in compliance with nutritional plan of care;
  • Checking catheters frequently and providing catheter care as assigned by nurse;
  • Assisting residents, including bedfast and comatose residents, in turning, positioning, exercising, transferring and ambulation as needed per facility protocol;
  • Answering resident call lights and responding to resident’s request for assistance in a timely manner in accordance to facility policy;
  • Maintaining resident rooms by making bed or changing bed linens, cleaning bedside table and organizing personal belongings, as needed;
  • Observing and reporting any signs of change in the resident’s appetite, skin condition , or behaviors that are out of the ordinary and according to facility policy;
  • Offering emotional support and actively listening to residents which will help them develop trust and achieve independence in daily living;
  • Maintaining the confidentiality of all residents and their care to ensure resident rights and privacy are protected at all times;
  • Reporting and documenting resident and/or visitor incidents, accidents, complaints or allegations according to the facility’s policy and procedure using the designated occurrence reporting system.
• Providing medical record documentation in accordance with facility policy as indicated by:
  • Taking and monitoring vital signs, intake and outputs, weights, and meal consumptions as assigned by staff nurse;
  • Complying with documentation requirements for functional maintenance plans, 24 hour reports, CNA flow sheets, monthly intake logs, BM flow records, behavior management records, toileting plans, shower lists, skin care audits, cleaning schedules, protective device usage and other records as assigned.
• Complying with safety requirements, infection control measures, and maintaining a clean work environment in accordance with facility policy as indicated by:
  • Using protective devices (side rails,  Geri chairs and poseys) appropriately and under the direction of the staff nurse;
  • Abiding by all emergency protocols for crash carts, resident codes, fire safety, missing residents, tornado preparation, violent residents, Wander guard alarms, door alarms, and other facility policies as assigned;
  • Reporting any forms of abuse witnessed or aware of to the nurse manager immediately;
  • Following infection control and universal precautions procedures;
  • Following periodic cleaning schedules for equipment and returning equipment to proper area after use, and
  • Ensuring the nursing service work areas are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Performing other duties as assigned by staff nurse or designee.

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Minimum Qualification/Requirements:

• Must possess specific educational and experience requirements such as:
  • A high school diploma or GED, unless working under a student permit.
  • Be certified by the State Department of Health (ISDH) as a C.N.A. in good standing. CNAs transferring from another state may work for 120 days while awaiting their State certification. Graduating CNA students, not yet certified, may also work for 120 days while awaiting their State certification.
  • Have basic computer skills along with knowledge of such programs as Excel, Word, etc.
• Have a thorough understanding of the principles of safe effective nursing practices within the State of employment.
• Must possess interpersonal skills such as:
  • Assisting licensed nurse with procedures within the scope of practice for nurse aide;
  • The ability to follow written and verbal instructions, function independently and make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action;
  • Personal integrity and the ability to deal tactfully with residents, family members, visitors, government agencies and personnel;
  • The ability to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel;
  • Requires judgment in prioritizing the performance of tasks, duties and responsibilities in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures;
  • The ability to be discrete and protect the integrity of confidential information and stay within Corporate Compliance and HIPPA;
  • Patience, a cheerful disposition, enthusiasm and a willingness to handle residents based on whatever maturity and physical level in which they are currently functioning;
  • The ability to adhere to professional code of ethics, and
  • The ability to relate information concerning a resident’s condition to the appropriate staff members.